On November 8, Isla Vista voters will decide whether or not to approve the formation of a Community Services District, known as Measure E. Also on the ballot is the district’s accompanying 8 percent utility tax, or Measure F.
The ballot items emerged after Assemblymember Das Williams sponsored unprecedented legislation known as AB 3. Last fall, Governor Jerry Brown signed the bill, reigniting a bygone effort to establish a local governing structure in the unincorporated yet densely populated place.
Williams has bankrolled the campaign committee to the tune of $80,000 — just less than 80 percent of its total — with money left over from his successful supervisorial race. In January, he will be sworn in as Santa Barbara County’s 1st District Supervisor, which represents Montecito, the City of Santa Barbara, and Cuyama.